title: Aquatic training for ankle instability.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate balance deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate students and to examine the effectiveness of 2 different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability. Thirty collegiate students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups followed an intervention balance program for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 minutes per session, using balance boards. One of the 2 training groups performed the exercises on the ground-the "Land" group (n = 15), and the other in a swimming pool-the "Aquatic" group (n = 15). Balance ability was assessed before and after the 6-week intervention program. Balance assessments included static (stability indices: total, anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) and dynamic (dynamic moving the cursor) stability tests on the Biodex Stability System (Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY). The results showed that in both training groups balance ability of the injured leg was significantly improved after the training period. In the final measurements, no statistically significant differences between the injured and healthy limb were found. The present study indicates that the performance of balance exercises in or out of water by collegiate students with functional ankle instability improves their balance ability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, Level 1.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece (GA, MP,SP, BA, GG).
authors.forename: Gioftsidou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Asimenia
authors.forename: Malliou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paraskevi
authors.forename: Sofokleous
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polina
authors.forename: Beneka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anastasia
authors.forename: Tsapralis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kyriakos
authors.forename: Godolias
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgios
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: ankle; ankle instability; ankle rehabilitation; aquatic training; balance